Tuesday, May 19, 2009

She Knows Bagel

To my Surprised, Bagel has never in my "To do List" ever since I've started baking bread. "Bland,hard" was my first unpleasant experience with a store bought bagel from a supermarket .


Until when she keep posting her various Bagel bakes, I was drooling over the round,cute puffy look bagel made by her. With the basic dough, it can turned into many others flavour, sweet or savoury, ie chocolate,coffee,pumpkin, mixed veggie etc. It seems that cream chees spread goes well with it , will try a cream cheese spread on next attempt.


Will keep playing with others different flavour


Oreo biscuits added

Thursday, May 7, 2009

A day in Kamakura (镰仓散步)

Soba shop , Neat pathway,Peaceful Ambience in the bustle city

Seasonal Sakura snacks on shelfs





Interesting Toy Live band
Anyone whom read these books, the author's shop located just 10 mins walking distance from Kamakura station.


Confiture shop by Romi Unie (五十岚路美)

My favourite fabrics store



Wednesday, May 6, 2009

Quilt In Progress

When Chiemi announced to me that her 2nd child will be due on May , the words just slipped out from my mouth that I will sew a baby quilt for her newborn, thereafter till last 2 months, I was told that is a baby girl. the making of quilt started then.
Pink or pastel colour will always be my prior choice, since not much time left to her due date, have to make it simple ,hope this simple but hand sewn with love baby quilt will keep her little princess warm.

A final touch on the binding to completion , it will be ready to send to Tokyo to welcome the little one in the next few days.


HONEYCOMB CAKE

I would rather called this honeycomb "kueh" than "cake" ,cos the texture is "kueh" like (Chinese/Nonya steamed pastry) . This is the cake that we'll usually focus on the texture inside make sure it formed a honeycomb like texture for about 3/4 portion height.

Have been seeing these cakes around for awhile ,with a few recipe on hands with slightly different methods ,wasn't sure which one to try untill lately chance upon this clip
Is really not that complicated as what I've thought .


The crucial part is during preparing the caramel, be aware not the over-cooked the sugar cos it'll burnt with seconds delayed. Also be sure to add in boiling water into the cooked caramel.


If you could feel the soft & "springy" touch by hand after baked as first check , next is to slice & check if those honeycomb formed.

Recipe Source







Tuesday, May 5, 2009

Tokyo Sweets

Japan Celebrity Patisser 辻口博啓 owned pastry shop Mont Saint Claire is a must-go place for desserts
seeker .His other shop located in the same district selling mainly rolls cakes are also well known by locals & tourists, I've witnessed that the Q even formed before the shops open.


After a 10 mins stroll in a drizzling rainy morning from hotel, a slice of warm apple pie did make my day .




This little cup of Hot chocolate is heavenly send in the cold winter , thick, smooth,Hm....




Some of the signature pastry from "Mont.St Claire"-Jiyougaoka


Perfect ingredients combination of his pastry, the display will tantalize your tastebud & to my surprised overaul are not at the sweet side.




Monday, May 4, 2009

Baguette (Natural Grape Levain+Maison Kaiser flour)

I've always wanted to make country rustic bread using Natural Grape Levain(葡萄种天然酵母) instead of commercial yeast cos its enhances the bread texture as well as aroma which commercial yeast can't. To start from scratch,from the grape starter to Biga, it stretch into 2 weeks for pre-fement .

Plain Baguette

The 1st bread to try out after all these preparation is Baguette, bake both plain & chocolate flavour Baguette on Sunday.
Process: 1st floor time : 90 mins - 2nd proofing (mine took extra 30 mins): 40 mins - final proofing: 60mins
Bake at 250 deg c for 20 mins (steam require)
Remarks: slashing - failed (slashed portion did not stretch during oven spring )



Chocolate Baguette Characteristic of natural levain bread, uneven big hollow